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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Unsportsmanlike Rejoicing

by David G. WoolleySome time after Mom married Dad she figured out that quality time together included a six letter word. Sports. The humble beginnings of her indoctrination were polite.

"Why do they allow the batter three misses?"

"They're called strikes, honey."

"Do they always spit like that?"

"Its not spit."

"I really like the color of their blouses."

Baseball was king for dad and Mom made sure the pantry was stocked with plenty of peanuts from May until October. During football season it was chips and salsa. During Wimbledon it was strawberries. When they moved to the Windy City to serve in the Chicago Temple for six years Mom decided that placing Micheal Jordan's name on the prayer roll might be a good game day tradition. Dad told her that wasn't necessary in order for him to consider her a fully fledged fan, but he sure was proud. Mom had finally caught the subtler nuances of the bug.

Its been two years since Dad died. In his memory Mom continues the quality time sports watching tradition. She never misses a game. Cougars. Jazz. Cubs. She's their number one fan. The stats flow from her mind like streaming video. Arm chair quarterbacking takes on a whole new feminine vocality. She talks to the TV, telling the coaching staff exactly what they're doing wrong. She also tells them if the color selection on team blouses needs some half time adjustments.

This weekend it was BYU football at Washington. Gotta love and support those spiritually minded Cougars. Mom's post game commentary is enthusiastic. Its emotionally charged. Its also not Sports-Center-Speak. She's never shed her penchant for polite talk---that endearing non-technical verbiage that personifies her fanaticism. Last night it went something like this:

"Did you see the game, son?"

"I was working. Did the Cougars win?"

"They were ahead 28-21 with a minute to go. Then that fast young man from Washington with the terrible color coordinated navy blue and gold blouse ran right into our end zone. Those Washington boys were jumping up and down and slapping each other on the back and then they threw the ball."

"So Washington went for the win on a two point converstion? Did they score off the pass?"

"No, no, no. They were rejoicing. Its against the rules, you know."

"The two point conversion?"

"When they're happy and they get excited, and they jump up and down and slap each other on the back and throw the ball. It happens all the time. You know, too much rejoicing."

Rejoicing?

It wasn't until the local news broadcast I found out the Cougars were ahead by a touchdown before Washington ran the ball into the end zone with two seconds remaining. Lucky for BYU the referee awarded a penalty when the quarterback threw the ball in celebration. The call pushed the point after kick back to the 35 yard line where the Cougars managed to block the Huskie's P.A.T. attempt and preserve a 28-27 win.

The nightly news had all the facts straight, but I prefer Mom's post game. It adds a softer touch to a sport that has little. If you hear any Huskie fans complaining about the Cougar's lucky win, tell 'em their blouses stink. You can also tell 'em sour grapes. Its on the books. Just ask my mom. NCAA rule 9, section 2, article 1:

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Featured Side Bar Posts

Where everyday you can join author David G. Woolleyand the Top of the Morning staff for informative, entertaining and uplifting commentary and opinion with special installments dedicated to the fascinating history,archeology, anthropology, and Book of Mormon writings that inspired the publication of five works in the Promised Land historical fiction series and continues to inspire the writing of three more. Check the side-bar below for some of our featured posts from David G. Woolley.

Top of the Morning Readers

The Language of Nephi (Part I)

Click this Mayan glyph to read Part I in a series on Nephite language by David G. Woolley

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Click this Nephite running from the bruning City of Zarahemla to read this Book of Mormon post by David G. Woolley about who really is a Nephite.

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Click this recreation of the ancient Jewish Fort Lakhish to read Book of Mormon related post about digging up the ancient past by David G. Woolley

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Click this Mayan calendar to read a Book of Mormon related post on Lehi's 600 year "Tun" prophecy and Alma's 400 year "baktun" prophecy

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Click this once stolen Monet painting of "Two Women in a Boat" to read a post about art theft that spanned decades and destroyed lives

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Click this ancient metal rendering of a blacksmith to read the fascinating post on refiniing ancient silver and your modern soul by David G. Woolley

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Celebrating Ha-Zikaron

During the 2008 anniversary week between Joseph Smith's first visit with Moroni on the evening of September 21st and the Jewish feast-day celebration of the Feast of Trumpets on Monday, September 29th, author David G. Woolley and the Top of the Morning Staff presented a week-long series of posts dedicated to celebrating the Day of Remembrance. Links to the dedicatory posts can be found below in the side bar. We hope you enjoy being part of the celebration as much as we do.

On This Night

Click this well-known Joseph Smith and Moroni painting for an interesting Book of Mormon related post. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

On This Hill

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On This Prophetic Date

Click this Hebrew calendar to read this cosmic Book of Mormon related tpost. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Sariah & the Brass Plates

Click this bell-shaped brass plate to read a fascinating Book of Mormon post. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with Author David G. Woolley

Feast of Trumpets

Click this shofar (trumpet) to read a Book of Mormon related post about the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Trumpets. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley

Divine Calendars

Click this mayan glyphic stone calendar to read an interesting Book of Mormon related post on the origination of calendars. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Happy Day of Remembrance

Click this Rosh Hashanah greeting card to read the final Book of Mormon related post in this series. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Eat Well, Live Well

The Top of the Morning staff is pleased to feature the following side-bar posts on healthy eating by David G. Woolley. We hope it helps you feel great.

The Business of Food

Click Veggies to read this popular healthy food introductory post by David G.Woolley

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Click this junk food for a post on healthy eating by David G. Woolley

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Introducing the Promised Land

The Top of the Morning staff is pleased to introduce you to author David G. Woolley's Promised Land Series. You can visit his Promised Land Website or click on any of the side bar book cover icons below and have a look inside. Welcome to the Promised Land.

The Promised Land Website

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